The new X-Prize...Rocket Racing League

news.bbc.co.uk...


www.rocketracingleague.com...


from the website:
Initially, each rocket-powered vehicle, or "X-Racer", will be based on an existing airframe, which will be modified to carry a 1,500 pound thrust rocket engine burning liquid oxygen (LOX) and kerosene. Currently being tested in an early prototype form, this class of vehicle has flown more than 20 test flights.
Each X-Racer will be a single-pilot vehicle with an empty weight of roughly 1,000 lbs and a propellant weight of 1,000 lbs, yielding a gross takeoff weight of 2,000 pounds. The first-generation of Mark-1 X-Racers will reach maximum speeds of more than 320 mph.

X-Racers will have the ability to be rapidly refueled, with initial refueling times on the order of 5 to 10 minutes per pit stop. It is expected that each team will continue to develop better technology and faster methods of refueling the vehicle as the Rocket Racing League develops. The equipment required in each pit will mostly consist of ground handling equipment for the propellants and standard maintenance equipment for the vehicles.

Each vehicle will be capable of approximately 4 minutes of intermittent engine boost and 10 minutes of of un-powered (glide) flight, allowing for 3-4 laps around the course between pit stops. Vehicles will launch (?) is a staggered fashion to ensure that vehicles are always airborne. X-Racer drivers will be allowed to "bunch" vehicles under controlled environments throughout the race to enable a race environment and lessons learned. To offer the race fan a true feeling of speed and power, a variety of cameras will follow the race from balloons, chase planes and the cockpits of vehicles. A sense of danger and excitement will surround the high profile X-Racer pilots creating a hero status environment for race fans. The X- Racer pilots will be today's version of the "right stuff".


That right guys and gals rocket racing is here

from the same fellow who brought us the X Prize comes the Rocket Racing League.

Imagine the boost this could give high speed travel (both Military and Civil)

I can imagine all the big manufacturors (boeing et al) jumping on board as the car manufacturers do in Formula 1.

I CANNOT wait to see this

(wonder if the pilots will get extra life insurance though)


Cheers


Debaser




[edit on 4-10-2005 by Debaser]

I doubt it will ever become useful for a RRL or for basic travel purposes. For one who wants to watch a race where there is a ten minute intermission between every 3 or 4 laps. Then if the launch is spread out, that takes alot out of the racing. Now you are no longer racing against other people just time. Secondly we have standard cars that can reach well over whatever we set the speed limit for and the military has planes to transport troops.

Nope, makes great video games but it will bejust a little niche like the XFL and it will end in the same fashion.

more and more like the jetsons every day...

I look forward to watching this. It will be way different than any other "x" sport...
the extreme of the extreme for engineering nerds...

finally... the nerds will be uber cool...
and way more extreme than Nascar...

what will be the military application of this? rocket powered high alt interceptors with lasers to shoot down icbms?